National Unity Party vice president Elpidio Barzaga Jr. has rejected calls to impeach  President Benigno Aquino III, saying there was no basis to initiate such proceedings against him in the Congress.

Barzaga, a lawyer-accountant, said that any impeachment complaint using as grounds the release of the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) funds by Malacanang would first have to prove that such action was illegal and it was Mr. Aquino himself who committed such an illegal act.

Malacanang has described the DAP  as  “a stimulus package of the Aquino administration designed to fast-track public spending and push economic growth.”  The fund  covers high-impact budgetary programs and projects which were  augmented out of government savings generated during a specific year and additional revenue sources.

Barzaga, who also chairs the House games and amusement committee,   said the legality or illegality of the use of the DAP funds is debatable.

“There is no question that the President is authorized to augment appropriations in the national budget by drawing from yearend savings,” he noted.

Barzaga, who represents the lone district of Dasmarinas City,  said that even if assuming the use of DAP funds was illegal and the illegal act was committed by the President, the next question to be asked is whether such act constitutes “culpable violation of the Constitution,” which is one of the grounds for impeachment.

“This (impeachment complaint) is an exercise in futility though there will be some media mileage and this will not help the country,” Barzaga said.

The lawmaker pointed out that the President enjoys popular support among members of the House of Representatives, where the process of removing an impeachable official commences.

“He is enjoying wide support among lawmakers, including senators, and among our people. There is no chance for an impeachment complaint against him to prosper. Remember that impeachment is largely a political process,” Barzaga said.